Registration indicator for web treating apparatus



" July 14, 1942. M. SORKIN 2,239,737

REGISTRATION INDICATOR FOR WEB TREATING APPARATUS 'Filed Nov. 17, 1938 MORRIS SORKIN Maw/[ ATTORNEY Patented July 14, 1942' UNITED STATES n PATENT OFFICE REGISTRATION INDICATOR FOR TREATING APPARATUS Morris Sol-kin, Teaneck, N; J., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Interchemical Corporation,

New York, N. Y., a corporation of Ohio Application November 17,1938, Serial No. 240,899

14 Glaims.

. individual sheets, it is essential to maintain ac-" curate registration between successive operations.

justments in registration be made manuallyupon the operation of a Suitableindicating mechanism. One form of indicator that has been provided includes two photo-electric circuits where one photo-cell is directed upon a target applied to a moving web-and the second is controlled by the light change caused by a target or mark provided on' a rotatingelenient of the press. Such an indicator is shown in Shoults ,et alfPatent No.

2,1511570, dated- March 21, 1939. The circuits associated with thephotocells have included four thyratron tubes anda timing clrcuit including still another thyratron, a rectifier and transformer. .-Whilethe apparatus has, functioned satis- I have discovered. that-such circuitsmay be i modified in certain fundamental aspects so as to render the resulting apparatus completely flexible; easy of adjustment and much cheaper than any other circuit heretofore provided.

In accordance with my invention the third an fourth thyratrons and. the complicated timing circuit are entirely eliminated, and in their stead relays and a timing 'triode are interconnected with the remaining circuits.

Due to the speed at which the web travels, it is 0 to-ceils are included in circuits which comprise not possible for the human eye to follow it for a suitable amplifiers, thyratrons, relays, a timing sumcient length of time to check registration. vacuum tube and associated relay, and two indi- Accordingly, various devices have been proposed cator lamps, one for indicating when the web is for controlling registration automatically by advanced and the other for indicating when the means of. photo-electric cells and other cooper- 15 web is retarded. Also included in the circuits is ating mechanism. Such devices,:however,xare oia greatly simplified tolerance control. Furtheracomplex nature and it has beenimpossible to more, I have found that initial adjustments of render them universally effective for both large the apparatus are greatly simplified and rendered and small increments of correction. That is, more accurate by the inclusion of a diode tube when the press is first started, large corrections between the first and second thyratrons, so as are usually necessary, and if the apparatus will I to limit the amplitude of the pulse impressed on take care of these, it will not be sensitive enough the rids of ,said thyratrom The entire arrangeto make the desired smallcorrections during ment of the circuitsand electrical devices innormal operation; while if the apparatus is set cluded therein is such that when the targets for for the small incrementsof correction. it does not 5 each photo-cell give their effect simultaneously, function properly for the large corrections needed neither indicator lamp will be operated; whereas when the press is first started. Furthermore, if the web is out of register, there will be a time certain of these devices have included rotating interval between the actuation of each photoswitches or contacts, operating in timed relation cell which will cause the proper indicator light with the printing cylinders for making connec- 3 to be operated and flash its signal to the attendtions with the electric circuits, and these require ant as long as the web remains out of register. frequent adjustment and area constant source Theabove and other features ofthe invention. of trouble. a j will become apparent upon consideration of the In order to overcomexthese and other dimculfollowing detailed description of one practical ties, it has been suggested that the actual adembodiment thereof, and the accompanying drawing in which:

-Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective representation of a plurality of color units of a multicolor printing press equipped with a registration indicator embodying my-inventionj and Fig; 2 is a diagrammatic showing of various electrical circuitsand devices used in conjunction with the two photo-cells andiindicator lights,

and including my improvements.

Ihave shown the invention applied to a multicolor printing'press, such for example as is disclosed in Arthur M. Wickwir'e, Jr. Patent No. 2,278,387,- dated March 31, 1942, and in the patents'and applications referred to therein. It will be understood, however, that the invention is not restricted in its use. to printing machines of any particular type but may be used in printing machines generally and in packaging machines, cutting machines and the like where it is necessary l to maintain the moving-web in definite register.

Thus, the two pho- Referring now to the drawing, it will be ob served that a web I is fed through a multicolor printing press including a first color unit I2, a second color unit I4 and a third color unit l8, so that as said web is fed therethrough, it may be printed in three colors, or as many more colorsras there are printing units. It is of course necessary that all imprints. applied to the web after the first imprint be in register therewith. However, due to changes in the tension of the web as it passes between units and unavoidable inaccuracies in feeding, errors in'register often occur in the second and subsequent imprints. When the various units are equipped withsuitable register control gearing, such as that dis closed in William F. Grupe Patent No. 2,163,035,

dated June 30 1939, corrections can readily be made as soon as the operator is made aware that they are necessary.

For notifying the press attendant when a cor- .rection or adjustment is required the press may be equipped with a registration control indicator of the type disclosed in the Shoults et al. Patent No. 2,151,570 referred to above. In using such an indicator the first color unit I2 is arranged to print an index signal or target I8 on the web, and indicators are provided at each of the subsequent printing units I4 and I6. As part of the tive device 22, such as a photo-electric cell, is

also included in the, indicating apparatus and adapted to receive light impulses from a suitable target or mark 24 applied to a part of the presswhich is rotating in timed relation with the movement. I have shown the mark 24 applied to the printing cylinder of the second color unit but the web photocell 20 has in circuit therewith a suitable source of potential 32, a resistance 34, and a condenser 36, so that, when its field of vision is interrupted by the register mark or target I8, a positive voltage impulse will be fed into the input circuit of a two stage amplifier 38. A suitable coupling condenser and potentiometer 42 may, as indicated, be provided between the first and second stages of amplification so as to control the amount of amplification. The amplified pulse is led through conductors 44 and 46 into the grid circuit of a first gas-filled grid controlled electron discharge device 48, such as a conventional thyratron tube which will be referred to as the firstthyratron. The conductor 44, which leads directly to the grid, has a condenser 50 and a suitable resistance 52 included therein for insuring complete loss of grid control when the plate discharge starts. Also included in the grid-cathode circuit of the first thyratron are a resistor 54 connected to the source of potential through a conductor 56, a condenser 58, and a potentiometer 60, which, through a conductor 62 connected to the source of potential through a switch 64-, shown in operative position, create a sumcient negative bias on said thyratron that it normally has no plate current. Switch 84, due to the fact that its two terminals are connected to the voltage divider at different points, allows the negative bias on the thyratron to be increased, while adjusting the amplification of the pulse so that, when said switch is in operative position, the pulse raises the grid voltage a predetermined amount above it will be apparent that such a mark could also simultaneously, indicating that the impressions are in register at the second color unit, neither of the signallamps will be lighted. If, however, the photocell for the handwheel is actuated prior to that for the web, the lamp 28, which may be colored red, will be lighted to signify to the attendant that the web is retarded and that the register control; should be given ,a backward movement. Should the target on the web interrupt the beam of light for the photocell 20 before the handwheel photocell is actuated, the other signal lamp 30, which may be colored green, will be lighted to indicate that the web is too advanced so that the register control should be given a forward adjusting movement. Whenever either signal lamp is lighted it will continue to flash its signal to the attendant until the proper place, the plate current from the first thyratron adjustment is-made. All of the electrical control apparatus, with the exception of the scanning heads may be conveniently housed'in a cabinet 26, as indicated in Fig. 1, which may be located 'in any convenient position for observation by the attendant.

Referring now to Fig. 2, it will be seen that the discharge or firing point and the first thyratron immediately passes plate current. Thus, the switch 64 constitutes means for adjusting the peak value of the pulse to a standard or predetermined value sufliciently above the minimum operating voltage to insure reliability in operation.

The anode of thyratron 48 is connected through a conductor 10 with the winding of a first normally closed relay 12 having an upper contact 14, an armature 18, and a lower contact 18." From the winding of the first relay a conductor 80, having a resistance 82 therein, leads to the positive side of the source of potential. Hence, the passage of plate current from the first thyratron 48 will cause the first relay 12 to be energized, so that the armature 18 will move to the lower contact 18. This closes a circuit including a conductor 84- leading to one side of a source of alternating current, and a conductor 86 which passes through the green signal lamp 30 to.the other side of the source of alternating current for said lamp.

At the same time that this, action is taking passing through a rheostat 88 starts'to charge a condenser 90, in the grid circuit of a thermionic vacuum tube 92, such as a triode tube, which will hereinafter be referred to as the timing triode and has its cathode connected to the source of potential through a conductor 94. This condenser-90 is connected through a conductor 98 and resistance 98 to the grid of the timing triode and causes the grid voltage to become less negative. As this occurs, plate current will begin to flow from the anode of the timing triode through a conductor I00 to the winding of a timing relay I02 having a contact I04 and armature I06 which are normally closed and in the circuit of the conductor leading to the source, of potential. From the winding of relay I02, a conductor I08 also connects the relay to the conductor 80 lead- ,source of potential asexplained above.

ing to the source of potential. The plate current from the timing triode 92 continues to increase until the. armature. I06 of the timing relay I02 moves and thus cuts off the plate current 'causes the grid voltage of the timing triode'to become more negative and drop its plate current until the timing relay closes and reconnects the plate circuit of the first thyratron.

The photocell 22, viewing the timing mark or notch 24 on the handwheel I4, likewise has in circuit therewith a suitable source of potential I I 4,'a resistance I I6 and a condenser I I1, so that when the mark 24 on the handwheel causes a beam of light to be reflected thereto, a positive voltage impulse will be led into the input circuit of a two stage amplifier I I8. The amplified pulse is led through conductors I20 and I22 into the grid circuit of a second gas-filled, grid controlled electron discharge device I 24, such as a-conventional thyratron tube which will be referred totes the second thyratron. Conductor I22 leading directly to the grid of the second thyratron, similar to conductor 44 for the first thyratron, may also be provided with a condenser I26 and resistances I20 and I30. It will be noted that resistance I30, condenser I26 and potentiometer 60 also serve to create a sufficiently negative .bias on the second thyratron I24 so that it normally has no plate current; but similarly to thyratron 48,

the positive pulse from the amplifier I'I8 raises the grid voltage a fixed amount above the discharge point and said second thyratron immediately passes plate current. I I

Such plate current is fed through a conductor I32 to the winding of a second relay I34 having an upper contact I38, an armature I38, and a lower contact I40; and from the winding conductor I42 having a resistance I44 therei "leads to the conductor 80 which is connected to the zation of the relay I34 causes the armature I38, which is connected to conductor 84 through relay I2, to move to the lower contact I40 and thus closes a circuit including the conductor 84 leading to one side of the source of alternating current, and a conductor I 46 leading through the red signal lamp 28 and to conductor 86 which is Energi trons.

, y 3 it normally would whena positive pulse is fed into its grid circuit. In this manner, whichever of the photocells is energized flrst,its associated signal light will be operated and the other will be prevented from operating until a correction of register is made. Adjustment of the timing tri-.

'ode 92 determines the length of time that the energized'signal lamp will remain. lighted for a single flash. It will be apparent that when both photocells are actuated substantially simultaneously, or within a certain desired time interval,

both of the relays I2 and I34, associated therewith, will be energized, but due to the cross connections indicated in Fig; 2 neither signal lampwill be lighted. l

As explained 'above, the switch 64 is provided to aid in the initial setting and adjustment of the apparatus, so that the desired andproper increment of bias maybe obtained on the thyra- For further facilitating such initial adjustments and for limiting the amplitude of the pulse impressed on the grids of the thyratrons, I

haveinserted a diode tube I50 in the circuit. One

anode of this tube is connected by a conductor I52 to the conductor 44 between the resistance 52 and the condenser 50; while the other anode is connected by a conductor I54 to the conductor I22 between the resistance I28 and the condenserv I26. The cathode of the diode is connected through a conductor I56 directly with the source of potential at a poi t onthe negative side of the switch 64. Hence, when the switch 64 is set initially, the diode tube, which has a positive potential between its cathode and anodes, will have sacrificing" any of its'advantages.

connected to the other side'of the source of alternating current.

As with the first thyratron, the plate current from the second thyratron I24, while energizing its relay I34, also starts to charge the cendenser 90 for the timing triode so that the timing relay I02 causes the plate current for the second thyratron to be cut oil at the proper time.

It will be noted that the cathodes of the first and second thyratrons are interconnected bya conductor I48 which is connected through the potentiometer 60 with the conductor 62 leading current, the bias on thegrid of the other or idle thyratron will be increased negatively so that, after an adjustable time interval which is determined by the setting of the potentiometer 60, said other thyratron will be prevented from firing as What I claim is:

1. In apparatus for feeding a web through a plurality of conditioning units, at least one of.

which has an element operatingin timed relation with the movement of a conditioning element of one of said units, means for indicating when the web is longitudinally out of register, said means comprising a first photo-electric cell controlled by the web; a second photo-electric cell controlled by the position of said operating element; two indicating devices; and circuit means associated with said photo-electric cells 'for actuating one or the other of said indicating plurality of conditioning units, at least one of which has an element operating in timed relation with the movementof a conditioning element of one of said units, means for indicating when the web is longitudinally out of register, said means comprising a first photo-electric cell controlled by the web; a second photo-electric cell controlled by the position of said operating element; t'wo'indicating devices; and circuit means associated with said photo-electric cells for actuating one or the other of said indicating devices when the web is out of register, said circuit means including a primary circuit for each of said photoelectric cells, and timing means interconnected with said primary ei 'rcuits and including a vacuum tube and an electro-magnetic relay.

3. In apparatus for feeding'a web through a plurality of conditioning units, at least one of which has an elementoperating in timed relation with the movement of a conditioning element of one of said units, means for indicating when the web is out of register, comprising a first photosensitive element adapted to be actuated in response to the light variations produced by a register mark applied to the web; a second photosensitive element adapted to be actuated in response to the light variations produced by a timing mark applied to said operating element; an indicating device; and circuit means associated with said photo-sensitive elements for actuating said indicating device when the web is out of register, said circuit means including a plurality of gas-filled, grid-controlled, electron discharge 'devices, and means for limiting the amplitude of the pulse impressed on the said electron discharge devices by the action of said photo-sensitive elements.

4. In apparatus for feeding a web through a plurality of conditioning units, at least one of which has an element rotating in timed relation with the movement of a conditioning element of one of said units, means for indicating when the web is out of register, comprising a first photosensitive element adapted to be actuated in response to the light variations produced by a register mark applied to the web; a second photosensitive element adapted to be actuated in response to the light variations produced by a timing mark applied to said rotating element; an indicating device; and circuit means associated with said photo-sensitive elements for actuating said indicating device when the web is out of register, said circuit means including a plurality of gas-filled, grid-controlled, electron discharge devices and aplurality of electro-magnetic relays.

5. In apparatus for feeding a web through a plurality of conditioning units, at least one of which has an element rotating in timed relation with the movement of a conditioning element of one of said units, means for indicating when the web is out of register, comprising a first photosensitive element adapted to be actuated in response to the lightvariations produced by aregister mark applied to the web; a second photosensitive element adapted to be actuated in response to the light variations produced by a timing mark applied to said rotating element; an indicating device; and ciricuit means associated with said photo-sensitive elements for actuating said indicating device when the web is out of register, said circuit means including a thyratron tube associated with each of said photosensitive element adapted to be actuated in re-' sponse to the light variations produced by a register mark applied to the web; a second photosensitive element adapted to be actuated in response to the light variations produced by a timing mark applied to said rotating element; an

indicating device; and circuit means associated withsaid photo-sensitive elements for actuating said indicating device when the web is out of register, said circuit means including a primary circuit for each of said photo-sensitive elements, and timing means interconnected with said primary circuits and including a vacuum tube and an electro-magnetic relay.

7. In apparatus for feeding a web through a plurality of conditioning units, at least one of which has an element rotating in timed relation with the movement of a conditioning element of one of said units, means for indicating when the web is, out of register, comprising a first photosensitive element adapted to be actuated in response to the light variations produced by a reg ister mark applied to the web; a second photosensitive element adapted to be actuated in response to the light variations produced by a timing mark applied to said rotating element; an indicating device; and circuit means associated with said photo-sensitive elements for actuating said indicating device when the web is out of register said circuit means including a primary circuit for each of said photo-sensitive elements, and a vacuum tube for limiting the amplitude of the pulse passed from said photo-sensitive elements into said primary circuits.

8. In a multi-unit web printing press including a plurality of rotating printing members, means associated with at least one of said units for indicating when the web is longitudinally out of register, comprising a first photo-electric cell which is adapted to be actuated in response to light variations produced by a register mark applied to the web; a second photo-electric cell which is adapted to be actuated in response to light variations produced by a rotating timing mark associated with one of the rotating printing members; an indicating device; and circuit means associated with said photo-electric cells for actuating said indicating device when the web is out of register, said circuit means including a primary circuit for each of said photo-electric cells, a vacuum tube for limiting the amplitude of the pulse passed from said photo-electric cells into said primary circuits, and timing means interconnected with said primary circuits and including a vacuum tube and an electro-magnetic relay.

9. In combination with a web printing press having a rotating printing member, apparatus for indicating when the web is longitudinally out of register, comprising a first light sensitive element adapted to be actuated in response to light variations produced by a register mark applied to the web; a second light sensitive element adapted to be actuated in response to light variations produced by a rotating timing mark associated with said printing member; and circuit means associated with said light sensitive elements and including an indicator, a thyratron tube for each of said light sensitive elements, timing means, and means for limiting the amplitude of the pulse passed from the light sensitive elements into the circuit means and the thyratron tubes.

10. Apparatus for indicating when a moving web is out of register in the direction of its travel, comprising an element operating on said moving web; light sensitive means controlled by said web for producing an electrical impulse; a second light sensitive means controlled by the position of said operating element for producing a second electrical impulse; means actuated by said imister when the time interval between said impulses exceeds a predetermined amount, said means comprising a circuit for each of said light sensitive elements including a gas filled electron discharge device, and :means for limiting. the amplitude of the pulse passed from said light sensitive means into said circuits and electron discharge devices.

12. Apparatus for indicating when a moving web is out of register in the direction of its travel, comprising an element operating on said moving web; light sensitive means controlled by said web for producing an electrical impulse; a second light sensitive means controlled by the position of said operating element for producing a second electrical impulse; means actuated by said impulse for indicating that the web is out of register when the interval between said impulses exceeds a'predetermined amount; and means for adjusting the peak value of the impulses to a predetermined value sufliciently above the minimum operating voltage to insure reliabilityin 35.

operation.

13. Apparatus for indicating when a moving web is out-of register in the direction of its travel, comprising an element operating on said moving web; light sensitive means controlled by said web for producing an electrical impulse; a second light sensitive means controlled by the position of said operating element for producing a second electrical impulse; means actuated by said impulses for indicating that the web is out of register when the interval between said impulses exceeds a predetermined amount; means for limiting the amplitude of the impulses passed from said light sensitive means; and means for adjusting the peak value of said impulses to a standard value sufliciently above the minimum operating voltage to insure reliability in. operation.

14. Apparatus for indicating when a moving web is out of register in the directionof its travel, comprising an element operating on said moving web; light sensitive means controlled by said web for producing an electrical impulse; a 'second light sensitive means controlled by the position ofsaid operating element for producing a second electrical impulse and means actuated by said impulses for indicating that the web is out or register when the interval between said impulses exreliability in operation. 1

MORRIS SORKIN. 

